Supply chain salaries rising in Canada

November 3, 2008

Canadian supply chain salaries are gaining ground, according to a new survey by the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC), Purchasing b2b and MM&D magazines. The survey - conducted in July and August of 2008 - involved more than 2,500 supply chain / procurement practitioners across Canada. The average salary for 2008 is $76,430. Respondents said their pay increased an average of 5.5 per cent over 2007.

Education and professional accreditation continue to play a role in compensation, with holders of PMAC's Certified Professional Purchaser (C.P.P.) earning an average of $92,888, compared to non-C.P.P.s ($72,340).

"We're seeing a continuing escalation of salaries, along with what appears to be higher annual increases," said Robert Dye, president of PMAC. "Every year we find that C.P.P.s earn more than non-accredited practitioners. Our interpretation of this trend is that employers recognize the value that C.P.P.s bring to an organization and are willing to pay a premium to secure their expertise."

Once again, respondents in Alberta, Canada posted the highest average salary ($84,255), followed by British Columbia ($78,029), Ontario ($77,640) and Quebec ($72,413). Manitoba and Saskatchewan came in at $64,519, and the Atlantic provinces at $60,270.

The survey also found the following trends:

Natural resources is the highest-paying industry for supply chain management, with an average salary of $92,889. The lowest paying industries are healthcare ($68,199) and government ($67,845);

The gender gap still persists, with men earning an average $81,962, and women earning $67,814;

PMAC members earn more than non-members ($78,292 and $74,902 respectively);

In terms of satisfaction levels, 57 per cent of respondents are "somewhat satisfied" with their salary, and 20 per cent are "very satisfied." Only 23 per cent were "not at all" or "not very" satisfied;

The average procurement practitioner has about 14 years of experience, supervises seven people and handles $19 million in annual sourcing volume;

Thirty-one per cent of respondents have influence at the C-level, and 10 per cent identify themselves as C-level executives;

Organizations in Canada appreciate the value of education. The survey shows 96 per cent of respondents said their organization pays for educational courses, and 77 per cent said their organizations pay for membership in professional associations.

Source: www.pmac.ca